The US Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and US Attorney Michael Easley Jr. have entered a legal battle between state and national Republican groups and the North Carolina State Board of Elections regarding rules for mail-in absentee ballot envelopes. The conflict involves allegations of state election officials violating state law by instructing local officials to count improperly submitted ballot envelopes. US Chief District Judge Richard Myers is overseeing the case, which is not expected to impact the recent election. The Justice Department filed a statement of interest in the case, citing the importance of enforcing the Civil Rights Act and objecting to the GOP’s interpretation of the “materiality provision” of the Act. The state elections board has filed motions to dismiss the case, claiming they have done nothing wrong, which Republican groups dispute. The case was initially filed in state court, but was moved to federal court due to the involvement of federal law. The North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans has intervened to defend the state elections board’s actions. The lawsuit arose from the state board revising a memo regarding absentee ballot rules, prompting concerns from Republican groups about potential violations of state law and weakening of ballot safeguards. The case remains ongoing as it continues to be litigated in federal court.
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US Attorney and Biden Administration’s Justice Department Intervene in GOP Ballot Envelope Lawsuit
